Phoenix, November 2, 2021 – Pets are having a moment. 2020 was a banner year for furry citizens, as reports indicate that the demand for pets spiked. The benefits of the human-animal bond were never more apparent as pets became “colleagues” to so many while working remotely.
While puppies and kittens are natural magnets to potential new families, senior pets can be overlooked. Many need loving homes in which to spend their golden years. During National Adoption Week from November 8 – 14, PetSmart Charities, the leading funder in animal welfare in the U.S., encourages those looking for a new best friend to consider senior pets. During November’s National Adoption Week and throughout the year, PetSmart stores across the U.S. open their doors to local Animal Welfare Organizations to help people make perfect matches.
Senior animals often spend the longest time at shelters and in many cases are deemed unadoptable. Many potential adopters are hesitant to take home an older pet, believing that the pet has been surrendered due to behavioral issues. In many instances, senior pets were companions of elderly people who died or had to move to an assisted living facility that would not allow pets. Similarly, economic hardships or lifestyle changes may force a family to relinquish a beloved pet.
"More than half of American households have pets, which is good news,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities. “But there are still more than five million pets that enter shelters each year in need of loving homes. Puppies and kittens are cute — but require a lot of care and attention. Senior pets have so much love to give, and their calm, gentle demeanors make them ideal matches for many households. National Adoption Week is the perfect time to head to a local PetSmart store and meet some older pets. Your carpets and furniture will thank you, too.”
PetSmart Charities encourages potential adopters to consider the following reasons to take home a senior pet:
- Emotional and psychosocial benefits. Older pets provide a sense of comfort and help improve loneliness in times of isolation, especially for senior citizens. Older pets also help ease social anxiety in new or uncertain situations.
- Saving lives. Many people are quick to adopt kittens and puppies, often overlooking older pets.
- Older pets are not necessarily “problem animals.” Senior pets are often relinquished for a variety of reasons, usually having nothing to do with their behavior or temperament, but because their families are unable to keep due to lifestyle changes such as a move, new infant or change in marital status.
- Older pets usually come trained and understand at least basic cues. For example, older dogs are often potty-trained and may have mastered the basic cues such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “down.” Adopting an already-trained dog saves pet parents the time associated with training a younger dog. Still, older pets an also learn new tricks.
Each National Adoption Week, PetSmart Charities invites thousands of local Animal Welfare Organizations to bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores across the country, giving so many loveable animals the best chances of finding new homes. Since 1994, more than 9.7 million pets have been adopted through PetSmart Charities.
Those who aren't ready to expand their family and adopt a pet can still help pets in need by making a financial donation online at petsmartcharities.org.
PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week Details:
Thousands of Animal Welfare Organizations will bring a host of adoptable shelter pets, including dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, and various small pets, into nearly every PetSmart store across North America.
Dates: November 8-14, 2021
Locations: Nearly every one of PetSmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Visit petsmart.com to find a store near you.
About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps nearly 600,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and emergency relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $475 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 17 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
About PetSmart®
PetSmart is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities.
PetSmart operates approximately 1,650 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. The retailer provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption. PetSmart, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 9 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization.
Media Contact for impact stories and interviews:
Amanda Calhoun for PetSmart Charities
Manager | 469.680.2636
Reporters: Please consider an interview with Aimee Gilbreath, President, PetSmart Charities U.S. and Canada. She is a thought leader in the animal welfare space, and can deliver both expertise and anecdotes to make a compelling story.
